Russian troops in Melitopol plunder $5M farm vehicles from Ukraine — to seek out they have been remotely disabled
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But after a journey of greater than 700 miles, the thieves were unable to make use of any of the tools -- because it had been locked remotely.
Over the past few weeks there's been a rising number of experiences of Russian troops stealing farm tools, grain and even building supplies - beyond widespread looting of residences. However the removing of valuable agricultural equipment from a John Deere dealership in Melitopol speaks to an increasingly organized operation, one which even makes use of Russian navy transport as a part of the heist.CNN has learned that the tools was removed from an Agrotek dealership in Melitopol, which has been occupied by Russian forces since early March. Altogether it's valued at almost $5 million. The combine harvesters alone are worth $300,000 each.
CNN isn't naming a contact in Melitopol accustomed to the details of the case for their own safety.
The contact said the method started with the seizure of two combine harvesters, a tractor and a seeder. Over the following few weeks, every part else was removed: in all 27 pieces of farm equipment. One of many flat-bed vehicles used, and caught on camera, had a white "Z" painted on it and seemed to be a navy truck.
The contact mentioned there were rival teams of Russian troops: some would come in the morning and a few in the night.
A few of the machinery was taken to a nearby village, but a few of it embarked on a protracted overland journey to Chechnya greater than 700 miles away. The sophistication of the equipment, which are geared up with GPS, meant that its travel may very well be tracked. It was last tracked to the village of Zakhan Yurt in Chechnya.
The tools ferried to Chechnya, which included mix harvesters -- can also be managed remotely. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even flip them on, as a result of the harvesters were locked remotely," the contact mentioned.
The equipment now seems to be languishing at a farm close to Grozny. However the contact said that "plainly the hijackers have found consultants in Russia who are trying to bypass the protection."
"Even if they promote harvesters for spare components, they are going to earn some money," the contact said.
Other sources within the Melitopol region say theft by Russian military models has prolonged to grain held in silos, in a area that produces hundreds of 1000's of tonnes of crops a 12 months.
One supply advised CNN that "the occupiers are providing native farmers to share their earnings 50% to 50%." But the farmers attempting to work in areas occupied by Russian troops are unable to move their produce.
"Not a single elevator works. None of the ports are working. You will not take this grain from the occupied territory anyplace. "
So Russian forces are merely taking the grain, the source said. "They steal it, take it to Crimea and that is it."
Final week the mayor of Melitopol posted a video showing a convoy of trucks leaving Melitopol allegedly loaded with grain.
"We now have clear proof that they unloaded grain from the Melitopol metropolis elevator. They robbed the elevator together with personal farms," the mayor informed CNN.